Detachable hardware for burial vaults



Oct. 29, 1957 R. N. JOHNSON DETACHABLE HARDWARE-FOR BURIAL VAULTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1954 Oct. 29, 1957 R. N. JOHNSON 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 DETACHABLE HARDWARE FOR BURIAL VAULTS Filed Jan. 8, 1954 IIIIIIIIIIII Il'IIIIA'II l EA/ TOE ROBERT M JOHNSON United States Patent Ofiice A 2,810,947 Patented Oct. 29, 1957 DETACHABLE HARDWARE FOR BURIAL VAULTS Robert N. Johnson, Bonne Terre, Mo.

Application January 8, 1954, Serial No. 402,877

16 Claims. (CI. 27-35) The present invention relates generally to burial vaults, and more particularly to means adapted to facilitate the handling of burial vaults, especially the dome member thereof.

More specifically, this invention pertains to detachable hardware that may be applied to a burial vault dome in order to facilitate the handling and transporting thereof, said hardware, in addition to serving as handling equipment, also serving in an ornamental capacity while in use.

The detachable hardware contemplated by the present invention has many advantages. Among them, an important advantage is that said hardware may be readily unfastened and removed from the dome after the vault has been placed on a conventional lowering device at the grave. Thus, the hardware, instead of being interred, may be employed repeatedly in serving the ends for which it is designed.

Primarily, though not exclusively, the instant equipment is designed for use in handling burial vault domes of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 392,187, filed November 16, 1953, and entitled Burial Vault. As illustrated and described in my said application, the core of the vault dome member comprises a shell of steel that has been cast prior to the bonding thereto of a mastic asphalt composition covering.

This asphalt covering envelops the shell, and subsequent to the hardening thereof, a dome member is provided to the external surfaces of which molding strips and the like, also of asphalt composition, may be fused in the manner clearly set forth in the copending application aforesaid.

Heretofore, as far as I am aware, the equipment employed for handling burial vault domes of this type has been in the nature of handle and handle bar members rigid with the dome, or supported from fittings or plates permanently affixed in various manners to the sides and ends of the dome.

That is to say, conventional equipment of this nature is permanently secured to the dome member by means of bolts, screws and the like, and sometimes by means of welding. In consequence of this arrangement, the equipment can serve its purpose but once, as should be apparent. Further, because this is so, it should be manifest that the included handles and so on must of necessity be constructed inexpensively, and of comparatively inexpensive materials.

A distinct advantage provided by the present invention is that because the herein contemplated equipment may be readily unfastened and removed after serving its purposes, said equipment may be re-used time and time again. Therefore, more elaborate designs may be incorporated, and more expensive materials may be employed in its original fabrication, inasmuch as said equipment may serve to repeatedly achieve its ends, as will appear.

The primary object of the invention, therefore, is to provide decorative hardware adapted to be attached to the dome member of a burial vault assembly for handling the dome preliminary to interment thereof, and adapted to be quickly and easily removed from said dome member for future re-use immediately prior to interment thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention, a pair of similar side plates, and a pair of similar'end plates are provided with interengageable hinge eye segments adapted to register at the corners of the dome member for the ready insertion and removal of ornamentally headed hinge pins.

Features and advantages not specifically recited above will be apparent or pointed out in the detailed description to follow, reference being bad to two sheets of drawings, wherein exemplary embodiments of my invention are clearly illustrated.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevationalview of a burial vault dome whereon one embodiment of the decorative hardware equipment of the present invention is detachably mounted;

Figure 2 is an enlarged end elevational view of the Figure 1 structure;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on an increased scale, and taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 1, the scale of this view corresponding to that of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on a further enlarged scale, particularly demonstrating the hinge interlocking arrangement obtaining at the corner portions of the dome member;

Figure 6 is an interior view drawn to the scale of Figure 5, and exhibiting a hinge element incorporated in one end of a side plate, a complemental hinge element incorporated in one end of an end plate, and a hinge pin adapted to interconnect said hinge elements;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of a hanger member;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a handle assembly;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a burial vault dome whereon another embodiment of the decorative hardware equipment of the invention is detachably mounted;

Figure 10 is an enlarged end elevational view of the Figure 9 structure;

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Figure 10;

Figures 12 and 13 are fragmentary sectional views on a further enlarged scale, taken respectively along the lines 12-12 and 1313 of Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a large scale fragmentary view demonstrating a latching linkage in unlocked or open position;-

and

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on line 1515 of Figure 14.

The burial vault dome illustrated in the drawings is designated generally by the numeral 20. It comprises a preformed shell of steel 21, all surfaces of which are covered by an enveloping layer 22 of asphalt compound, in the manner clearly illustrated and described in my copending application aforesaid. Further, as also disclosed in said application, molding strips 24 are fused onto the dome member along the lower peripheral margins of the side walls 26, and the end Walls 28 thereof.

In accordance with the concepts of the present invention with respect to the form thereof illustrated in Fig ures 1 through 8, a plurality of hanger members 30, one of which is illustrated per se in Figure 7, is permanently incorporated in the dome 20 at the time of applying the molding strips 24.

Each hanger 30 includes a flat body portion 32 that terminates at the top in a downturned hook segment 34, and at the bottom in an upturned hook segment 36. These hangers are fashioned of inexpensive metallic material, and the exposed surfaces of them are treated so as to blend with the external finish of the dome, or with r with the teachings of my said copending- 3 the detachable hardware to be described. Each hanger member 30 is permanently aflixed in the manner clearly illustrated in'Figure 3, where it is seen that the upturned V hooh segmentl3j6 engagesa lo'werperipheral edge 38 of the dome, the flat body portion 32 lies against an external} surface of the dornqand the downturned hook s gment 34,extendslaterallytherefrom. it 1 4 'In aflixing a' molding 24, 'an appropriate solventsuch as naphtha is first applied toone surface oftthe molding, whereupon the solvent treated surface is properly posi'- tioned against an exterior: asphalt compound surface of thefldome'member 2i Thereupon, inward pressureis respects with that disclosed in my copending application,

except that a plurality of spaced hanger members 36 is incorporated therein along the bottom peripheral margins V of the sidewalls 26, and the end Walls 28 thereof. In the exemplary dome illustrated, three spaced hangers 30 are incorporated along the bottom of each side wall 26, and two spaced hangers are incorported along the bottom ofeach end wall 28.

The detachable hardware in assembly is generally designated 40', and includes: a pair of side plates 42; a pair of end plates 44; hinge connections generally designated 46 disposed at each corner of the dome; spaced integrally formed and laterally extending bosses 48 on the sideplates 42; similar bosses 50 on the end plates 44; handle bars 52, welded as suggested at 54, or otherwise rigidly secured tothe outer faces of the side plate bosses 48; handle bars 56, welded as suggested at 53, or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer faces of the end plate bosses 50;'spacecl depending loops 6t} integrally formed on the side plates 42; and similar loops 6 formed onrthe end plates 44.-

An exploded view of one of the corner connections 46 is exhibited in Figure 6. Ihis view, with reference ne ing had also to Figure 5, demonstrates that each extremity of the :side plates 42 is interiorly recessed as at 62, whereby to receive 'a first hinge section 64 that is spot welded as suggested at 66, or otherwise rigidly fastened to the side plate in such fashion that the inner faces of said-hinge section and said side plate are flush. Similarly,

'each extremityof the end plates '44 is interiorly recessed as at 68, whereby to' receive a second or companion hinge section 70 that is spot-welded as suggested at 7 2,

or otherwise rigidly fastened'to the end plate in such fashion that the inner faces of said hinge section and said end'plate are flush;

Theeye segments 74 of hinge section 64 project beyond 7 the adj acent marginal edge 76 of the side plate42 as illustfated, and in like manner, the eye segment 78 of companion hinge-section 7t projects beyond the adjacent marginal edge 8t) of the end plate 44. Numeral 82 designates a hinge pin, terminating at one end in an enlarged head portion 84 that facilitates manual insertion of the pin into, and extraction of the'pin from, the mated hinge eye segments 74 and 7 8. freferably, the head portion 84'is of a generally spherical configuration, so'that, as seen to best-advantage in Figure 2, an assembled hinge connection 46 presents a pleasing appearance to an observer.

Preferably also, as suggested'in Figures 1 and 2, the

bosses 48am 50 are formed on the side and endplates in such fashion as to surmount the loop segments 6% and 61, respectively, thus providing a symmetrical pattern of ornamentation for the hardware.

j A s should be apparent from an inspection of the drawlugs, and as will be more fully explained hereinafter, the loops 60 and 61 are formed for interengagement with the hook portions 34 of the hanger members 30. Consequently, the spacing of the hangers 39' determines the" spacing of the loop segments 60 and 61, as should be understood.

An important feature of the inventiomin consequence of the repetitious utilization thereof, is that the pristine fabrication of the equipment warrants a considerably greater financial outlaythan is warranted in the fabrication of conventional equipment, which, after serving its purposes once, isflburied in the grave.

In other words, the present invention contemplates re movable decorative hardware that serves to' achieve its utilitarian purposes in a highly efficient manner. Selected ornamentation such as floral wreaths, symbolic designs and so on may be engraved or embossed on the exposed surfaces of the; side andend plates as suggested at 86 in Figure 2 Likewise, such embellishment may also be provided on the similar surfacesof thejbosses 48; and 59 as suggested at 88 in Figures land 2.

I Although the manner in which the thus form; of the invention may be repeatedly utilized is ation are similarly dimensioned with respect to their ex-' ternal rectangular peripheries, irrespective of the size of thetherein; to be enclosed casket. Based on such prenr' deemed to be apparent, a brief' explanationwill now be given. 7 V i It; will" be assumed: in the interest o f brevity that ordinarily all burial vault domes of the type under considerise, the detachable organization of side and end plates is so dimensioned interiorly that a clamping action between the-pater side and end wall surfaces of the dome 2e, and

the inner surfaces of the side and end plates will he produced, in consequence of the insertion of a hinge pin 82 into the registering eye'segments 74 and 78 of the fourth i,

or final hinge connection 46.

tated otherwise, when the fourth or final hinge con nection 46 sequentiallyleifected by the insertion of the fourth 'or final hing e pin 82, the side plates 42 and the end'plates 44 are causedrto engage against thecontigu oua side and end wallsof the'dome 20 with suflicientfpres 1 sure toimaintain said plates in the disposition thereof 1 the equipment may be reutilized on another burial Particularly exhibited in Figures I through 3. 'ln'such disposition of the side and end plates 42 and 44, re-

spectivelyi the downturned upper'hook segments 34 of the hangers 3ti aretinterlockedtwith the depending loopv formations fill-and 61 of said plates, as clearly demonstrated in Figure 3.,

From the foregoing description and explanation augw mented by an inspection of Figures 1 through 8jof the; drawings,- it'is believed that a comprehensive understanding of the first embodiment of my invention may be had. After the detachablej decorative hardware assembly 46 has served to achieve its intended functions, the hinge pins 82'may be extracted manually, followed by disengagement of the loop segments 60 and 61, whereupon dome member, as should now be clear.

Assuming now that inconsequence of the expense in volved, a situation were to arise wherein the cost of the, detachable hardware assembly 40 would be prohibitive,"

the present invention contemplates comparatively inexpensivemeans for handling the dome 2 3, in the of handle assemblies such as that portrayed in Figure Sand" designated in its entirety by the numeral 92;- The exemplarily illustrated handle assembly 92includes a handle proper 93, and a dependin'gly supported loop member 94 adapted for int'erengagement with one of the downturned;

hook-extremities 34 of the permanently incorporated hangers 30. The utility of a plurality of handle assaubilies 92 in lieuof, the handle bara-rrangernent is deemed obvious. I

Another formof my invention'is illustrated in Figures.

9 through 1-5, wherein the dome member and its com far described stituent parts are identified by the same reference numerals employed for that purpose hereinbefore.

In this form of the invention, the hanger members 30 are dispensed with, the detachable hardware assembly 100 being securely clamped to the dome side and end rails in such fashion that when a lifting action is applied to the included handle bars 102, the hardware will exert additional pressure against the outer surfaces of the dome, as will appear.

The assembly 1110 includes in addition to said handle bars: a pair of side plates generally designated 104; a pair of end plates generally designated 106; hinge connections generally designated 168 disposed at each corner or the dome; and spaced integrally formed laterally extending bosses 1115 on the side plates 104, the aforesaid handle bars 102 being welded, as suggested at 112, or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer faces of said bosses.

Preferably, as Figure 9 demonstrates, each side plate 104 includes spaced upper and lower rails 114 and 116 respectively, that are integrally cast with the bosses 111 Each of the side plate rails 114 and 116 has its extremities interiorly recessed as at 118, whereby to receive a hinge section 12% that is spot-welded, or otherwise rigidly fastened to the rail in such fashion that the inner faces of the hinge section and said rail are flush, and the eye segments 122 of said hinge section project beyond the adjacent marginal edge 124 of the rail.

As particularly demonstrated in Figures 10, 11 and l3, each end plate 196 includes: two angularly disposed and over-lapping links 125 and 126; four hinge sections 128, 134 132 and 134; a pivotal connection 136 between one end of the link 125 and the offset extremity 138 of the hinge section 134; a pivotal connection 140 between one end of the link 126 and the fiat extremity 142 of the hinge section 132; two similar lock or latch bars 144 and 146; a first pivotal connection 148 between one end portion of the latch bar 144 and the free extremity of the link 125; a second pivotal connection 150 between the opposite end portion of latch bar 144 and the offset extremity 1520f hinge section 128; a first pivotal connection 154 between one end portion of the latch bar 146 and the free extremity of the link 126; and a second pivotal connection 156 between the opposite end portion of latch bar 146 and the otfset extremity 158 of hinge section 130. i That end of latch bar 144 having the pivotal connection 148 aforesaid has an integral extension thereon in the form of a hook 160, and that end of latch bar 146 having the said pivotal connection 154 has an integral extension thereon in the form of a similar hook 162. Each of the four hinge sections 128, 130, 132 and 134 has integrally formed thereon a projecting eye segment 164 adapted to register with the similar segments 122 of the side plates, and to receive hinge pins 166.

Preferably, in this form of the invention, the hinge pins 166 are not removable, the detaching operation being accomplished by swinging the latch bars 144 and 146 from the locked positions thereof exhibited in Figure 10, to the released or unlocked position thereof demonstrated in Figures 14 and 15 with respect to latch bar 146.

It is to be noted that'the interior periphery of the assembly is accurately dimensioned for vault domes of a certain size, so that when said assembly is properly attached, the side plates 1134 and the hinge sections of the end plates 106 frictionally engage the side and end walls 26 and 28, respectively, of the dome member 20. Manifestly, assuming that said dome member were elevated by means of the handle bars 102, the degree of frictional engagement would be increased in consequence of the illustrated criss-cross arrangement of the components comprising the end plates 106.

Reverting to the frictional engagement obtaining between the dome member and the assembly 100, it should be remembered that the links 125 and 126 are each pivotally mounted at one end, so that the said frictional engagement is efiected when the latch bars 144 and 14$ are swung counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively, into the locked positions thereof exhibited in Figure 10. In order to detach the assembly 106 for future reuse, the latch bars are swung counterclockwise, thereby automatically expanding said assembly sufficiently for its ready removal from the dome.

In the fabrication of this form of the invention, a considerably greater financial outlay is also warranted, inasmuch as the hardware may be used time and again. Embossings and engravings as suggested at 168 in Figure 1 are provided on the exterior faces of the bosses for decorative purposes. The rails 114 and 116 may also be embellished with wreaths, symbolic designs, and so on. If desired, a suitable ornamental cover plate may be applied to the end walls 28 of the dome v in order to shield the end plates 106 from view at such times when the dome is on display.

It is believed that the foregoing description, augmented by an inspection of the drawings, provides a comprehensive disclosure of the invention. The structural elements illustrated and described obviously may be modified in some respects Without departing from the funda mental concepts of the invention. Wherefore, it is to be understood that the invention contemplates any and all modified or equivalent structure that may fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

What is claimed is:

1. Decorative hardware mounted on the dome of a burial vault assembly, including in combination: a hinged ly connected organization of side and end plates extending substantially completely transversely of and clampingly engaging, respectively, the side and end walls of the dome; and manually engageable means horizontally spaced from and rigid with the side plates for handling and transporting said dome; said hingedly connected organization of side and end plates including manually removable means for disconnecting said plates to detach said hardware.

2. Decorative hardware mounted on the dome of a burial vault assembly, including in combination: a hingedly connected organization of side and end plates extending substantially completely transversely of and clampingly engaging, respectively, the side and end walls of the dome; and manually engageable means horizontally spaced from and rigid with the side and with the end plates for handling and transporting said dome; said hingedly connected organization of side and end plates including manually removable means for disconnecting said plates to detach said hardware. a

3. Detachable hardware for handling and transporting a burial vault dome member of the type described, said hardware including in assembly: pairs of horizontally spaced side and end plates engaging the side and end walls respectively of the dome member, each of said side plates being secured to a handle horizontally spaced therefrom; a hinge connection joining the extremities of adjacent side and end plates at each corner of the dome member; and means maintaining the assembled hardware releasably in position on the dome member.

4. Detachable hardware for handling and transporting a burial vault dome member of the type described, said hardware including in assembly: pairs of horizontally spaced side and end plates engaging the side and end walls respectively of the dome member; a plurality of longitudinally spaced laterally extending bosses integrally formed on the side plates; a hinge connection joining the extremities of adjacent side and end plates at each corner of the dome member; a handle bar spaced from each side plate and rigidly secured to the bosses of each side plate; and means maintaining the assembled hardware releasably in position on the dome member.

5. Removable equipment for handling and transporting a burial vault dome of the type described, said equipment including: pairs of horizontally spaced side and end plates adapted to engage the side and end walls respecti'vely'of-Ithe dome; a plurality of longitudinally spaced laterally extending bosses formed integrally with each side plate the surface of said bosses and side plates ,that will be exposed when the equipment is in use being eming a burial vault dome of the type described, said equipment including: pairs of horizontally spaced metallic side and end plates adapted to engage'the side and. end walls respectively of the dome; a plurality of longitudinally spacedtlaterally extending bosses formed integrally with each side and end plate, the surfaces of said bosses and side plates that will be exposed when the equipment is in use being embellished with ornamentation; separable hinge connections joining the extremities of adjacent side and end plates at the corners of the dome; a handle bar rigid with the bosses of each side and end plate; and depending loop segments formed integrally with the side and end plates beneath each of the bosses aforesaid, each loop segment being adapted to engage the upper end hook portion of a hanger member permanently attached to the dome.

7. In combination with a burial vault dome of the type described, said dome having molding strips fused onto the lower'peripheral margins of the side and end Walls thereof: a plurality of spaced hanger members each'permanently incorporated in the dome at the time of applying said molding strips, and a decorative hardware assembly adapted to be removably mounted on' the dome in cooperative disposition relatively to said hanger members for handling and transporting said dome, the hardware assembly including: 'hingedly connected side and end plates to clampingly engage the side and end walls of the dome; spaced depending loop segments integrally formed on said plates each engaging the upperend portion of one of said hanger members; and a handle bar rigidly secured to each of said side and end plates.

8. The structure set forth in claim 7, wherein each of' the recited hanger members includes a flat body portion terminatingat the top in a downturned hook segment, and

at the bottom in an upturned hook segment, said'hook 7 each assembly including a handle member, and a loop member dependingly' supported therefrom for interengagement with the downturned hook segment of one of said hanger members. 7 a

'10. Detachable hardware for a burial vault dome in combination with a plurality of spaced hanger members of' the character described that are permanently incorporated in said dome, said hardware comprising: a pair of side plites; a pair of end plates; hinge assemblies at each corner of the dome connecting the. adjacent ends of one side and one end plate; a plurality of spaced laterally extending bosses formed integrally with each side plate; a plurality of similar bosses formed integrally with each end plate; a handle bar rigidly aflixed to the outer faces of the bosses on each side plate; a handle bar rigidly affixed to the outer faces of the bosses on each end plate; and a plurality. of spaced depending loop segments int; or

8 a tegrally formed onthe side and end plates, each loop segment interengaging a hook portion of one of the hanger members. i i 1 11. The detachable hardware for a burial vault dome set forth in claim 10, wherein each of the recited hinge assemblies comprises: a first hinge section disposed in an interiorly recessed extremity of a side plate and rigidly secured thereto; a second or companion hinge section dis posed in an interiorly recessed extremity of an end plate I and rigidly secured thereto, the eye segments of said hinge sections projecting beyond the adjacent marginal edges of said plates in registering disposition; and a hinge pinextending through said registering eye segments, said hinge pin being surmounted by an enlarged head portion facilitating the manual insertion of the pin into, and extraction of the pin'from, said eye segments.

7 12. In a detachable organization of side and end plates for engaging against the side and end Walls respectively of a burial vault assembly'dome member of the character described: a *hinge section rigidly mounted at each extremity of the side plates; a companion hinge section rigidly mounted at each extremity of the end plates, each hinge section including at least one integral eye segment projecting beyond the adjacent marginal edge of the plate whereon it is mounted; a hinge pin for connecting the eye segments of contiguous hinge sections; and a handle bar rigidly secured in horizontally spaced relation to each side and end plate. 7 7

l3. Detachable hardware for the dome of a burial vault assembly, including in combination: side and end plates for engaging the side and end Walls respectively of the dome, each of said side plates comprising spaced upper and lower rails rigid with a plurality of longitudinally spaced bosses extending laterally therefrom; hinge connections joining the extremities of adjacentside and end plates at the corners of the dome; manually operable latching means incorporated in the end plates for re leasably clamping said hinge-connected plates in position on the dome; and manually engageable means rigidly secured to the bosses ofeach side plate for handling and transporting the dome: 14. Detachable equipment for handling and transporting a burial vault dome of the character described, said equipment including in combination: pairs of horizontally spaced metallic side and end plates in frictional engagement with the side and end walls respectively of the dome; a plurality of longitudinally spaced laterally extending bosses formed integrally with each side plate, the surfaces of said bosses that will be exposed when the equipment is in use being embellished with ornamentation; permanent hinge connections joining the extremities of adjacent side and end plates at the corners of the dome; a handle bar rigid with the bosses of each side plate; and

r manually operable latching means on the end plates to redisposed link; a flat lower hinge section; a pivotal con-;

nection between one end of said link and the lower hinge section; a first latch bar; a pivotal connection between the other end of said link and one end of said latch bar; a first offset upper hinge section; a pivotal connection between the other end of said latch bar and the offset portion of said upper hinge section; an outer angularly disposed link overlapping' said inner link; an offset lower hinge section; a pivotal connection between onerend of the outer link and the ofiset portion of said' lower hinge section; a second latch bar; a pivotal connection between the other end of the outer link and one end of the second latch bar; a second offset upper hinge section; and a V pivotal connection between the other end of said second latch bar and the offset portion of said second upper hinge section.

16. In a hingedly connected rectangular assembly of spaced side and end plates adapted to encompass the side and end walls of a burial vault dome, manually operable latch means on said end plates for first contracting said assembly into frictional engagement with said Walls, and for subsequently expanding said assembly to facilitate the removal thereof from said dome.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Wilson Jan. 16, 1883 Froehlich Nov. 1, 1887 Blackford Nov. 29, 1887 Sawyer July 6, 1926 Choate Oct. 21, 1930 Mitchell June 16, 1936 

